Chapter 10

What just happened, I thought as I went and sat on my bed. Did I just almost throw myself at one of the knights? Lancelot on top of that with Gawain watching! I was mortified, as I realized what I must look like, silly little girl, trying to play dress up, causing a huge fight at the local tavern. Then just to add a bang to the evening, tried to seduce the most womanizing knight of all, and failed. I should be crying, but the hilarity of it all was more than I could take. It started off as a small laugh, and then built of to a full fledge case of giggles, I couldn't stop, this had to be the funniest, most embarrassing thing that has happened to me. I was laughing so hard, I fell off my bed with a loud thud.

"Ouch" I said rubbing my bottom. As I was picking myself up off the floor, my door suddenly flew open. Tristan came flying in with sword drawn.

"Taryn, what is going on , who is in here with you!" He demanded to know.

The sight of him standing there, hair a mess, probably from the earlier fight, sword drawn, and trying to figure, who was causing this commotion in my room was more than I could take. The laughter started again, uncontrollable this time. I slid back down to the floor leaning against my bed. Trying to regain some control of myself, I bit my hand to try to hold back the laughter, but my shoulders continued to shake.

My dear father's mouth was hanging open, he had decided though it was safe enough to sheath his sword.

"Taryn, are you drunk?" He said standing over me.

Oh it was too much; "No" I said trying my hardest to not start giggling.

"Then please tell me what is going on." He said with a bewildered sound to his voice.

"Tristan, Tristan" I said grabbing his hand, and pulling him down by me. "Your daughter temporarily lost the good sense she was born with tonight." I said a little more seriously.

"Taryn what did you do." He asked a very fatherly tone coming to his voice.

"Nothing I care to explain to you dear father, but rest assured nothing dangerous, and nothing I will ever repeat." I said looking up into his eyes. "I am sorry about what happened tonight at the tavern, are you all right?"

"Yes Taryn, I am fine and so is everyone else, although the tavern is in shambles, we will deal with that in the morning though." He said starring right back at me. "You should sleep now, remember Dagonet said your shoulder was healed."

"I am tired. I will meet you then in the practice field tomorrow morning?" I asked.

"Yes, Taryn goodnight." He said standing to leave.

I watched him start to walk to the door. "Tristan" I said. He stopped and turned toward me.

"Thanks for coming to check on me." I said, giving him a hug around the neck. He just stood there all stiff and stoic, not moving. I stepped back and looked at him.

"I'm sorry" I began slightly hurt. "I know you aren't the most affectionate person in the world." I said with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

"Taryn, I am not used to affection, that does not mean I don't want yours. Don't ever think that. I will teach you some things over the next few months maybe you can teach me a few as well." He said with a slight smile to his lips.

"I would be glad to." I said. "Goodnight dear Tristan." I said again, but this time, I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. It was hard to see through his beard, but I know I spotted a hint of red in his cheeks.

"Definitely take some getting used to" I heard him mumble as he walked out the door.

I slipped my dress, the one which had caused most of my troubles this evening, off and changed into my night shirt. It had been a very mixed up day, but I went to bed with a smile on my face.

XXXXXXXXX

The next morning I woke up with the birds. My happy mood had continued I was not going to let anything ruin my day. I went to my window, no one was yet in the field, I stood there and let the early morning summer sun hit my face. It was a beautiful sunrise, the promise of a beautiful day.

I went to my closet, deciding on what to wear. I had a feeling nothing Tristan had planned today involved me wearing a dress. So, I pulled out a pair of dark green boy trousers, and a cream tunic. My hair was a mess from going to bed with it half pulled up. I started to brush it so I could braid it, but then decided it was too much hastle. So I gathered it up, and twisted it into a very messy looking bun. I would pay for not taking the time later, but I was anxious to start my day.

By the time I made it out to the field, Tristan was already there waiting on me.

"I did not expect you up this early." He said to me.

"Then why are you waiting on me?" I said with laughter in my voice.

"I am not waiting on you." He said raising his arm into the air. "I was waiting on her."

I looked to the sky, and saw his feathered friend circling above. She slowly and gracefully glided down, to land softly on his arm. She was a beautiful animal, obviously well trained. I held my arm out in front of her and made a soft clucking sound, and surprisingly to her master, she switched perches. I reached up with my free hand, and softly stroked her head.

"She does not usually leave me so easily." He said slightly annoyed.

"Well what do you expect, were sisters." I said holding my arm next to his, and letting her return to him. He just starred at me and shook his head, sometimes I think he had no idea what to say to me. He then raised his arm to release her, and she soared into the morning sky.

"Are you ready to begin?" He asked.

"Bring it on." I said cheerfully, again gaining the amused/annoyed stare from my father.

We practiced hard for nearly an hour, he gave me words of advice and encouragement trying to help sharpen, my not so great technique. My muscles were not as strong as they had been, after not doing much but entertain children for the last two weeks, so I soon needed a break. I went to get a drink of water from the well and saw that we were not the only ones up. Dagonet and Lancelot were walking toward us.

"Good morning" Dagonet called, I returned the greeting. Lancelot only nodded in my direction, and then went over to the targets, and began firing arrows. I talked to Dagonet for a few minutes, assured him my shoulder was holding up quite well. I looked over again at Lancelot who did not meet my gaze. Hmm I thought to myself who is being the childish one now.

I decided it would do no good to have to walk on eggshells around him the rest of the day; I might as well get it over with now. I went over and grabbed my bow and arrows I had sat down earlier. I walked toward him without saying anything. I stood as close to him as safety would allow and began firing arrows at the target next to his. What I lacked in sword play I made up for in archery. Hunting was a way of life for me, I had been shooting a bow most of my life. I watched as most of my arrows hit dead center. I did not stop until I ran out of arrows.

"That was some nice shooting Taryn." He finally said.

"Well good morning to you to Lancelot, I thought we weren't speaking." I said with mock surprise in my voice.

"Taryn" He began, "I am sorry about last night, I didn't mean to lead…" I stopped him there.

"Lancelot, I have no idea what happened last night, I just want you to know I spent most of the evening laughing about it." I began.

"Is that what that was?" He said with eyebrows raised. "I thought you were sobbing, our rooms are right next to each other you know."

I had a good laugh over this poor Lancelot thinking he had broken my little heart. "Lancelot" I said between laughs, "Let us not speak of this ever again, and I have always wanted a big brother." I smiled at him sweetly.

He let out a sigh of relief. "So I really don't remind you of your father?" He asked.

"No, you are not the fatherly type, and my father is much more handsome than you, and I just said we weren't to talk of last night ever again." I scolded.

In response he just hugged me to him, and rubbed his fist into my already messy hair. I was glad, I had gotten this over with, I was not about to have a black cloud hanging over my day. I gently pushed him away, and walked back over toward Tristan.

"What was going on with all that?" He asked fatherly tone in place.

"Oh nothing, just gained a sister and a brother in one morning." I said picking my sword back up. "Ready to go again?" I asked.

He raised his curved blade in response, and we began to go again. We worked more on foot work, this time.

"Foot work and speed are two of the most important parts of sword play. You have natural speed and coordination, but you must work on your feet, use them as part of your weapon. You must never be still or flat footed. Be on your toes, ready to strike or retreat, whatever need be." He explained with great importance.

I tried my best to listen to him and follow his teaching. I wanted him to know what I lacked right now in skill, I would make up in hard work and determination. I believe I was accomplishing that, I was working harder than I ever had.

We were soon joined by Bors, Galahad, and Gawain. I waved hello to all of them and noticed Galahad had a dark purple circle around his left eye.

"Galahad, your poor eye, did that happen last night." I said while walking toward him.

"Yes, remind me not to fight when I am already quite drunk." He said rubbing his head.

'Well thank you for helping me." I said kissing him on the cheek under his swollen eye. "I am sorry you were injured."

"Hey" Gawain interrupted. "Remember I'm the one who pulled you out of the pretty Romans lap. Don't I get a thanks?"

"Thank you Gawain." I said reaching out my hand and shaking his. "Your services were greatly appreciated." I said with a big smile on my face.

Our pleasant little conversation was interrupted by a not so looking pleasant looking Arthur. "Knight, could you please all come over here, we need to discuss some things." Arthur commanded.

"Have any of you been wondering why I have not been out here with you yet this morning?" He asked looking straight at Galahad and his black eye. "Galahad have you?" he questioned.

"Maybe you decided to catch up on your sleep?" He said grinning.

"No" Arthur said his voice rising slightly. "I spent the first part of it listening to an angry tavern owner explain to me how my knights had torn apart his place of business. I spent the next part of my morning finding out why none of the Roman soldiers would be able to work today because they had been to badly injured by the Knights. You all know you are not to fight with them. I want to know now who the cause of this was." He said the anger very evident in his voice.

Everyone sat there in silence, starring at the ground, like little children who had been caught with there hand in the cookie jar.

"I want answers, or you all will be docked a months pay." He said his voice even louder.

"It was Taryn's fault." I heard a voice say. I looked up in shock to see who had just blamed this on me, and saw it was none other than Gawain.

"Just how was this my fault!" I shouted my anger rising.

"Well, if you hadn't come to the tavern trying to look all provocative, the soldiers would have never tried to seduce you thus, none of the Knights would have had to defend your honor." He said with a grin on his face.

"Provocative" I shouted at him. "What kind of a word is that?" "Am I not allowed to dress like a woman, what is wrong with that?"

"Because my dear, you are not a woman you are a child." Lancelot decided to enter the conversation at this point which was a very bad move.

"I am not a child, I will be sixteen next month, and am no younger than most of the bar maids you all love so dearly." I said glaring at them both.

Arthur choose this moment to interrupt my little tirade. "Taryn please calm down, and tell me what happened in your own words." He said the anger gone from his voice.

"Gladly Arthur. I went to the tavern for dinner. I went to refill Bors glass, was grabbed by one of your pig of a soldiers. Gawain choose to intervene by smashing the mans face. Words were said between Knights and soldiers, the next thing I knew Lancelot was pulling me from the tavern, and it sounded as if a fight began, that is all I know. I think if you want to yell at anyone you should yell at your soldiers, and teach them…" I was interrupted by my up till then silent father.

"Taryn I think Arthur has heard enough." Tristan said giving me an unpleasant look.

"Taryn, I see how you think you are the victim in this, but Gawain is quite right this was your fault." Arthur said much to my surprise and dismay.

I opened my mouth to interrupt him, but was quickly silenced by another menacing look from my father.

"If you are going to live among us you are going to have to learn how to fend for yourself without one of the Knights rushing to your side for aid, thus endangering themselves. Any other of the woman could have handled themselves in that situation. The soldiers can be rude, but are not rapist. Taryn, I think it would be appropriate for you to head over to the tavern now, and help the owners clean up." He said.

I just nodded my head. I turned to give Gawain and evil look, and found him with a little grin on his face. Arthur noticed it also.

"Oh and Gawain, since you did throw the punch that started it, you can go help her." He added.

The grin quickly disappeared from his face; it was my turn to smile now.

"The rest of you Knights will spend the rest of the day doing your regular duties, plus those of the soldiers you injured." Arthur said turning to leave.

"Taryn" he said catching my arm as he was leaving. "I will make sure you have an apology by the end of the day." Arthur gave me a quick wink as he left.

"Well there goes my good day." I said looking into the sunny sky.

To all my wonderful reviewers thanks so much, you make this little hobby much more fun!

Lancelottristanbaby: I am glad you like the story, you always make me laugh. I am not sure if I agree with you ratings of the knights cuteness, lol!

Elfisire: Thanks for reading and reviewing, not sure what you disagree with though.

Camereyn: When I was putting the fairy tale part in, I was thinking of my favorites, which one is Shrek. It is not word for word, I was to lazy to pull out the Shrek DVD, but I was cracking up when I wrote it, I was sure someone would say something. I like your ideas on the Taryn pairing, may somehow work it into my story, but I am afraid I may disappoint you. Thanks so much for your reviews.

Camlann: Thanks for your review. I am glad you found it funny also. I know Taryn is fifteen, but by the time the story catches up with the movie she will be 17. So it will probably be a Knight pairing, don't mean to disappoint, but don't worry she is not hooking up with anyone at 15, although I am sure it was done then. When I read your review I thought Hmmm I should do soap opera aging. Yesterday Taryn was 15, today she is 21, lol.

Tracy 137: Sorry, no Lancelot, they will be close though. I am glad you like the story.